Commemorating our Heritage with New Plaques along the West Toronto Railpath

As our community evolves and changes, it is important that we commemorate the rich industrial and railway heritage that defines many of the neighbourhood across Ward 18. Earlier in July, many of you joined me for a heritage walking tour along the West Toronto Railpath where we unveiled two new heritage plaques highlighting this history in the Junction Triangle neighbourhood.

The first plaque, located at the northernmost West Toronto Railpath entrance on Cariboo Ave, commemorates the significance of the former West Toronto Diamond and how this important confluence of railways helped spur a budding neighbourhood of industries, shops and families. A piece of the Diamond has been embedded within the concrete at the entrance to the Railpath solidifying its place and history in our community for generations to come.

The second plaque will be located in the under-construction Wallace Plaza at the base of the Wallace Avenue Pedestrian Bridge, helping to create a new gateway entrance to the Railpath. The plaque commemorates the importance of the bridge in linking communities bounded by rail lines, its continued prominence as a local landmark loved by residents, and its recognition as a rare example of local railway heritage architecture.

Thank you to the Friends of the West Toronto Railpath, Scott Dobson, and Heritage Toronto staff for working with me and our community to commemorate the unique heritage of Ward 18!